Why Naamsmaran is Better than Meditation?

This post stands tall as the world meditates tomorrow. Meditation does give a temporary relief, but it might not be the ultimate solution in the digital age. As we struggle to fight digital addictions across age groups, staying closer to the Ultimate reality might work faster. Here's an explanation to the claim. 

Yoga is chitta vrutti nirodha, as per Patanjal Yoga Sutra. The ultimate aim of Yoga is also said to be Nirbeeja Samadhi- total cessation of the modifications of the chitta- absolute thoughtlessness.

This kind of state is impossible to be attained by a mortal human being. Because his entire life is bound by something called Karma which inturn is the cause of desires.

Everything we do, in every role we play, we fulfill some of our own desire. Even if we talk of a selfless lady working tirelessly day and night for the family, has her own desire that the family will remain fine. A devotee going to the pilgrimage also has desire to be fulfilled by the God.

Whatever your stage and state of life, only Naishkaam Karma, or actions without the expectation of fruits of action (as stated in Bhagavad Geeta) frees us of that ever-growing baggage of desire.

 

Meditation takes us away from chitta vruttis temporarily. Therefore, seems very relieving and in fact intoxicating. The illusion of meditation seems more relieving than the real life illusion. In the end, as Shakespear says, “All the word’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”.

Then follows a continuous desire to meditate in turn affecting our daily karmas. In the baggage of desires we got into this world, our aim must be to set ourselves free as far as possible. But meditation seems to increase the weight of that baggage.

 

All aim of meditation and yoga is to gain knowledge. But this knowledge like the siddhis of Patanjal Yoga Sutras, is the biggest obstacle to Nishkaam Karma. Instead of following the ideal path of duty without expectations, knowledge brings the intellect in between. 

As per Sankhya Darshan, the complementary darshan of the Yoga Darshan, intellect is also bound by Trigunas and is not mula prakriti or the balanced state of trigunas. The ultimate aim is lost in that sense. 

More meditation leads to more knowledge which in turn leads to more accumulation of Mahat or the intellect. It increases the sense of me and mine beyond imagination. Because of this, acceptance of people and situations becomes difficult and Nishkaam Karma becomes a far reality.

 

In Bhagvad Geeta, Chapter 3, shloka 43, Lord gives a timeless solution to overcome vasanas. He says- “Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind, and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence and thus – by spiritual strength- conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.”

Naamsmaran is the easiest and the fastest way to invoke that spiritual intelligence. Naamsmaran directly gets us to the source of the entire universe (including our own selves and our desires). It lessens the burden of me and mine. It shifts the onus from your own self and karmas to Him.

Even Patanjal Yoga Sutra, which is written in Sutra form (where minimum words are used) has mention Ishvar Pranidhan (Surrender to the Lord) thrice. Because whatever knowledge you gain in meditation has to be surrendered to the source of the knowledge and not kept with you to increase your burden.

Naamsmaran  doesn’t need extra time. You can do it on and off the mat, anywhere, everywhere, in any state. Like meditation, Naamsmaran also detaches you from the current situation and gives temporary relief. But it also attaches you to the ultimate source of this existence, the only truth and reality of this universe.

When you are attached to the Ultimate, the sense of me and mine lessens. You will have just the right sense so that you can fulfill the duties bestowed by Him upon you, gracefully!

 

 

 

Intoxicated

किसीपे हुस्न का गुरूर जवानी का नशा

किसीके दिल पे मोहब्बत की रवानी का नशा 

किसीको देखे साँसों से उभरता है नशा 

बिना पिये भी कहीं हद से गुज़रता है नशा 

नशे मैं कौन नहीं हैं मुझे बताओ ज़रा 

किसे है होश मेरे सामने तो लाओ ज़रा 

नशा है सब पे मगर रंग नशे का है जुदा 

खिली खिली हुई सुबह पे है शबनम का नशा 

हवा पे खुशबू का बादल पे है रिमझिम का नशा 

कहीं सुरूर है खुशियों का कहीं ग़म का नशा 

Phenomenal lyrics by Anjaan and Prakash Mehra. Let us point out who is not intoxicated. You might say I do not drink or smoke. These intoxications are visible. You may have some other type of intoxication which is subtle in its nature but easily visible to your near and dear ones. 

 Let us try to figure out few intoxicated people we daily see around us. A home maker who is obsessed about keeping things in a particular way without accepting others suggestions. A working man or woman who is obsessed about his work knowing the temporariness of it all. A youth who is obsessed about his love which might not last lifelong. A middle aged man obsessed about hoarding money. An aged grandfather who is bent upon enforcing his laws in his kingdom. A child who is obsessed about a toy which might eventually break some day or the child might out grow it. There is a new obsession around, across the generations now- YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat. 

The list is endless. Whenever outside environment does not give you love and support, you try to seek the need of identification somewhere else. Intoxications often start with this need to identify yourself with something more permanent. And when you fail to search your permanent position in the game of life, you enforce permanency in specific ways. Ways become habits. Habits become obsessions. And obsessions become intoxications- without which it is difficult to survive. 

By nature human mind is very clingy and restless. It sticks to its own nature of being Satva, Raja, and Tama in its own way. You cannot avoid a clingy mind. The more you try to rule it, the more it drifts away. Then come the mindfulness techniques, types of meditations and other wholistic solutions to increase awareness and consciousness. 

But we have to understand, instead of enforcing. This profound and deeper understanding can be given by the best book on counselling ever written which is true even today- The Bhagvad Geeta. 

The Shloka 2.59 says, Though the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness. 

 We have to give a higher taste to our minds instead of controlling them. 

In 3.42, the Lord says, The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and He is even higher than the intelligence. 

So ultimately, one has to identify with something greater and more permanent. 

Not all intoxications are bad. Art is intoxicating. If I start crocheting, I would loose sense of time and duty. God intoxication is the greatest intoxication. Because it is the fruit of all your endeavors. God intoxication of our sages has showed the correct path to the millions. 

 We cannot force ourself or our loved ones to totally withdraw from the sense pleasure. That denies the order of change and acceptance and His rule in the world. We can simply offer the intoxications of our mind to Him- with Shradhdha and Saburi (faith and patience). One day His love and Grace would remain and other intoxications would gradually go. 

So- next time you observe any kind of intoxication, turn to Him and His words through the Bhagvad Geeta. And always have Faith and Patience.

Changing Definitions of Womanhood

My husband’s post-Diwali leave ended by watching Jhimma 2, a Marathi movie with my in-laws. In-laws, technically yes, but have spent more of my time and energy with them than with my own parents! My relationship with them is also a part of today’s article. Changing definitions of womanhood!

 

An easy yet happening movie, Jhimaa 2 is a perfect sequel to its first part. It's about a tour arranged by a young man called Kabir, who takes a group of ladies to London in the first part and Lake District in the second part. The story is about those women and their lives. How each one has her own struggles and wants to enjoy despite them. 

The coolest character was shown of Indu who turns 75 years in the second part. She has experienced the major struggles of her life and now simply wants to enjoy herself despite her Parkinsons. She is happy with a glass of wine, a smile on her face and encouraging all young women to aspire for something better. There was a middle-aged character called Meeta who was trying to gain confidence and live an independent life encouraged by her sister and daughter post her husband’s sudden demise. There was one lady who used to run away from all the enjoyment and over-exercise to forget the fact about the removal of her uterus and no marriage proposals because of that. Krutika is shown as the younger version of Indu- modern and practical. She meets Steve in the first part and runs a Bed and Breakfast service with Steve’s brother in the second part. The movie was stolen by Nirmitee Sawant who played the character of Nirmala, a perfectly depicted wife of a politician from a hardcore traditional family. She tastes alcohol for the first time in the first part and then craves for it in the second one. In the second part, she is also joined by her daughter-in-law, Tanya, a modern homemaker with an independent identity. 

There were a few very thoughtful situations, scenes and dialogues to strike a chord with our hearts and minds. 

The attitude of the new entrant Tanya was exceptionally remarkable. She was shown to be perfectly comfortable with her salwar kameez outfit, making teas and cooking whenever time demanded. Totally at ease and confident about her identity as a homemaker, without comparison to other ladies of her own generation. She tells the practical Krutika, I take care of people and cook for my own self. Having a job is not the only identity a woman can have. She swims to save the life of Indu and tells the lady with the uterus problem not to take tension, she can always adopt a kid. A lesson to be learnt by all of us is to be comfortable with our own selves without pleasing others and comparing ourselves with others. 

Meeta’s story also teaches a beautiful lesson on independence. Her sister and daughter are constantly trying to pair her with some man. Her teenage daughter finally tells her, Mother we are not looking for a father for myself, we are looking for a friend for yourself. An evolving take on companionship and marriage.

The hardcore traditional and not very educated character of Nirmala also finally accepts that her daughter-in-law is good. Initially, she is shown to be jealous of her as she gets the attention of all her friends due to her simple and caring nature, but in the end, they both make it up. A unique changing relation is shown between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Tanya is shown serving a tablet with water to remove her mother-in-law’s hangover. Nirmala is shown acknowledging Tanya’s modern, outspoken and simplistic views. 

All in all a good take on womanhood. The changing identity of a lady in the changing times! Though I do not personally find women consuming alcohol cool, there are a few lessons for us in this one. What is important is the identity of a woman which arises from her strong sense of self reflected in her decisions. It is not related to the external world of job, family or clothes. But it's her comfort in being herself. It is definitely difficult in today’s world of social media where we polish ourselves to project a better self. But think about it, life is actually easier when we truly accept ourselves and others around us. Only when a woman is strong with a sense of self, the future generation can aspire to be the same. 

So times are always changing, and definitions evolving, but the winner is always a lady with a thoughtful head on shoulders and a loving heart in her bosom! 

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara

A lot of hue and cry has been heard about someone called Guru. People who have taken someone’s anugraha think He is the only power who will do everything for them. They need not work. People who are self-made never believe that it is worth giving another person so much authority to dictate their lives. 

 

These are two extremes of thought processes prevalent in today’s world of extremes. Which one is correct? We can debate over them for hours together giving valid examples of both extremes. 

 

In one such candid debates with my husband, who has no experience about this principle, who thinks God is in all human beings and who is one of the wisest men indeed, I tried to make adjustments to my own thought processes to find out the truth. So, I distanced myself from my thoughts to seek valid and more permanent answers.

 

A Yoga Upanishad called Advayataraka Upanishad explains the word "Guru" as follows:

गुशब्दस्त्वन्धकारः स्यात् रुशब्दस्तन्निरोधकः ।
अन्धकारनिरोधित्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते ॥ १६॥

The syllable Gu indicates darkness, the syllable Ru means its dispeller,
Because of the quality of dispelling darkness, the Guru is thus termed.

 

The most important point to note is that it’s the quality of a person or thing to dispel darkness or ignorance which qualifies it to be called as Guru. 

 

Whenever we have a problem whom do we first recall? It’s our own strength, intelligence and consciousness to act appropriately. Whether we call our strength or intelligence or consciousness would again depend on which level of consciousness we currently are. Strength and intelligence can be seen in our decisions. But consciousness can be felt. It is our inner calling.

 

Our calling indicates our natural process of evolution. Yoga is not a fight with ourselves. It’s increasing our own awareness about our level of consciousness. Whatever we give according our nature (our individual combination of satva, raja and tama) comes back to us. Thus, our duty would simply be to keep the fire and desire of evolution within us ignited. 

 

When we continuously flow with our natural tendencies, one day comes when we feel our intelligence is insufficient to deal with the problems we face. That is the time, we need our inner power. That day the universal consciousness itself comes for helping us tap our inner Self in the form of Guru. 

 

It’s so simple right, Guru is not a person or a living being. It is our own Self coming out, when we are unable to reach Him within. This is Yoga! This is nature! This is evolution! When we unleash our own sheaths one after the other to reach the ultimate state of oneness. 

 

But even a small glimpse of that state is enough to bring craziness in an individual. The person would see only one Lord everywhere! In food, in garbage, in sinner, in lover, in child, in elders, in metals, in rocks. When one feels the universality of existence, it becomes difficult to stay in the current body. The body becomes the biggest restriction to totally feel the Advaita Sthiti. 

 

That is the time, when enlightened beings or Saints or Sages or what we call today as Gurus, come into the picture to give clarity of right and wrong and do’s and don’ts. Thus, Guru is our own Self guiding us from time to time. 

 

In whatever stage of life we are, if we have clarity or capability to have clarity, we do not seek the help of the Guru. If ever, our life lacks clarity or the capability of getting that clarity, open the hearts and keep the fire ignited. He is right there. He is God. He is Self. He is everywhere. Therefore its is said:

 

गुरू ब्रह्मा गुरू विष्णु, गुरु देवो महेश्वरा ।

गुरु साक्षात परब्रह्म, तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः ॥

 

 

Miss Crow with Mr Lizard

After watching some latest pathetic Hindi serials with abusive language, horrible scenes and unnecessary crime, after which I just could not sleep, I experimented with a Chinese series- Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard. 

One of the cleanest series watched off late. A simple Romantic comedy with not many twists and turns. A story of love and friendship of the modern times. 

The hero Gu Chuan is played by Allen Ren (I guess he is a Chinese superstar) and the heroine Jiang Xiao Ning by Xing Fei. The hero gets a mechanical heart implanted after an accident in which the heroine’s parents die. This heart needs to be recharged to stay alive. If Gu Chuan becomes emotional and his heart rate rises up beyond 100 bpm his body discharges electricity. If it goes beyond 120 bpm it can create blackouts or even electrocute a human being. So, he just manages to divert his entire energy to become a top-notch architect with a protective shield of a long face and rude behavior. To complement him is shown his best friend, an easy-going, fun-loving rich brat who downloads the software connecting Gu Chuan’s heart on his mobile. Anytime the hero lands up in an emergency he tracks him to help. The other story is of the heroine who comes from a not-so-rich Chinese family who struggles to pay the monthly bills. She has the liability of a middle-aged aunt and a grandmother who suffers from Dementia.

What makes the serial special is not the impractical mechanical heart and its glitches, but the awesome chemistry shown between the hero and heroine. How their relationship evolves from being a complete stranger in the first episode to the most mature couple in 36 episodes is worth watching. As always, there are many good takes from the series.

An excellently played strong character of Gu Chuan is very attractive. A person who is constantly on guard towards his own feelings develops a peculiar intuition while dealing with the world. Speaking in the yogic way, his senses and thus, consciousness is completely internalized for the maximum amount of time. He is also an example of how instead of sulking in want of a need for affiliation he goes for the higher need for achievement. (Everybody knows which need is higher as per Abraham Maslow, but I choose to differ here. Wait for a few more days to read about my take on affiliation and achievement). When such a person gets involved in a relationship, he gives his 100%, san doute. 

The cuteness of the heroine just cannot be ignored. Though she seemed to overact at times, she played a strong character towards the end. Her family is shown to be very simple and grateful. She loses 27 jobs and her aunt teaches her to bless every boss! So, we know from where she gets her tremendous willpower and positivity, which helps her towards the end. Would it not be great if we too after being knocked down in life again and again, keep fighting with the same optimistic spirit. She believes in prayers. That’s what saves Gu Chuan in the end. Jiang Xiao Ning is shown as a strong character with self-respect and goodness. 

The icing on the cake is their doted friends, who selflessly help them whenever they need. Another thing I started contemplating is that instead of having multiple friends with the least concern in most of them, why not have a few with complete concern. (Not sure of the practicality of the thought, though). Another peculiar thing I admired about the series was that both the women characters, the heroine and her friend, are shown to be full of self-respect (not like the women of Hindi-Marathi series who go on people-pleasing all the time). Ok, there is a very thin line between self-respect and ego, but let’s not get into that! In the end, both of them work hard and support their loved ones in every way. 

What makes the series even more special is the phenomenal music. I often play its songs on Youtube while cooking nowadays. I read the subtitles to understand while watching, but always with a loud volume. It’s the emotions of the words that we can connect to and not the language. 

All in all, a good watch for our generation. A beautiful story of how to stick to each other in times of ailing health, improving technology, and changing priorities. 

This series and obviously the daily happenings around have triggered the thought of the tussle between the head and heart again in my mind. Gu Chuan’s achievement reaches its peak and affiliation has just started. Jiang Xiao Ning’s affiliation is always there but achievement has just started. She balances both needs through her phenomenal attitude and faith. Faith is again a part of the affiliation. How beautiful these two needs take on our lives even if the lower needs are fulfilled or not is worth the watch. 

After watching the series if a similar battle triggers in your mind too, feel free to give an opinion. Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard on YouTube! 

Jigsaw Puzzle

A few days ago, our whole family played the game of Jigsaw puzzle. My younger one got a gift for her birthday- a 500 pieces jigsaw puzzle of the grand Burj Khalifa of Dubai. 

 

We lay the small 500 pieces of the grand building on the entire dining table. It took the entire weekend to complete. My preliminary and probably most boring of all the works was to segregate the pieces according to the colors, shades, shape of the alphabets, and overall design. We started to solve from two to three sides/ corners. Then got them together to make the bigger picture. It was pure fun! Everybody from my father-in-law to the youngest daughter played some part. As and when we finished our routine tasks, we would land up at the table, all engrossed in building the grand Burj Khalifa. 

 

This simple game taught me a few biggest lessons of life. 

 

·      If the vision of the goal is clear, it gives clarity and direction to the players. We all saw the goal in the box. So, all we had to do was contribute in small ways. 

·      Small portions of the design were first completed. Then they were joined to make the bigger picture. Every small step towards the end goal would count. It is something like the Japanese Kaizen- incremental improvements. 

·      The place of every individual piece was fixed. And the best part was that the pieces were a non-living thing, so they did not put anything called me or mine. Whenever the time of the appropriate piece would come, we would place it correctly to complete its purpose. Aren’t we the same? Sometimes as animate as the puzzle piece? We all have been sent for some purpose to do some role. The more me and mine we lose, the faster the creator will place us correctly to make the bigger picture. 

·      The 500 individual pieces taught that there is a way to co-exist. If we quarrel, for a prominent position or become greedy, the purpose of our life is lost and it would simply delay the reaching of our individual ultimate destination. Thus, all the diversities and differences in the world are not meant to fight. But to simply accommodate, accept and co-exist. 

 

 

Thus, if we as a species decide to have a clear vision, make small incremental improvements towards it, lose me and mine, and accommodate and co-exist, wouldn’t the world become a better place to live? 

Happy International Women's Day

Recently we celebrated International Women’s Day. I went for lunch with my mother-in-law’s friends. We saw groups of women flocked all over the restaurant. Women who belonged to all age groups came in their best looks and outfits and flaunted their advantage of womanhood everywhere. 

I started contemplating on what makes me special as a woman. What is the essence of womanhood? And the first thought I get while contemplating womanhood is of Mother Earth, the true symbol of everything that signifies the “She”. 

She breathes an unbelievable tolerance for us and our cruelty towards her. Despite our continual want of material things and unending greed, she accepts us all with the same big heart like a mother who accepts her ignorant and greedy children. She knows it all. She always knew it all. But she still chooses to love this beautiful creation of the Lord. Because she knows that she too is a creation of the Lord. She continues to give fertility, prosperity and tremendous love to the flora and fauna situated on her bosom. Even if we kick her hard, we continuously fight and kill each other, the Mother is hurt but does not leave her nature. 

Her true nature of accepting, toleraance and giving. But being a combination of Satva, Raja and Tama, she too is helpless and bleeds anger when the atrocities go beyond her limits. To lessen the atrocities immediately and change the very nature of animal instantly is impossible. But just like when our mothers get angry, we try to behave like her to get her love. Its time we learn acceptance, tolerance and the giving attitude from Mother Earth. Only a genuine attitude of acceptance of the constant change (beyond Satva, Raja and Tama), tolerance for individual differences or similarities and a constant commitment to give or sacrifice, can ease the remaining time of the human race of this blue planet. 

On this women’s day, we must embrace womanhood in its entirety. We must embrace the nature of women. A woman is not equal or greater or lesser than a man. She is not here to compete with the man. She is here to sustain and maintain this world, just like a man. She is created by the same Lord, who created man. She does not need any reservations or extra quota or separate identity. She is complete in herself, just like a man. She is His creation. She is beautiful in her own way. She maintains a beautiful balance of the world with her feminine qualities. And the time is perfect for embracing them to balance the greedy material development. 

Let us all imbibe the qualities of a woman to sustain happily. Let us be accepting, tolerant and giving to each other a little more. This is not possible by blindly following the world but by being a little Atma Nirbhar. Atma Nirbharta is not in the physical actions but it signifies an independent thought process which later on culminates in independent actions. 

Happy International Women’s Day!!!